[leasbirds] Melospiza Sparrows

From: Johnny Nelson <johnnywillnelson@xxxxxxxxx>
To: leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:21:51 -0500

Happy Monday All,

I'm always trying to get better with my new world sparrows (which remain
admittedly better than flycatchers), but I could use a little help with
this one. I initially marked this down as a Lincoln's Sparrow when I had it
in my binoculars the other day in the reeds at Clapp Park. There were two
others I didn't get good looks at loosely associating with it, but this guy
held still long enough for okay views and okay-ish photos. Given the grey
in the face and the little bit of buff I seem to see in the breast, the
habitat, the impression I had of size (seemed less full bodied than I
normally picture Song Sparrows), the size and shape of bill, and the lack
of distinct Song Sparrow calls I was listening for made me lean towards
Lincoln's. The streaky breast, in my mind, ruled out Swamp Sparrow.

But my brother's a better birder than I am (though not a Lubbock
dweller--he hails from Ohio like me and lives in Alaska). He's got less
experience with Lincoln's Sparrows in general, but when he saw the images
he thought it was a Song Sparrow.

So what do the local Lubbock experts say? Am I thinking through this
correctly, even if it does end being a Song Sparrow?

Thanks for any help. Photos below and linked through iNaturalists for those
who use that: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155022623

[image: image.png]
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Follow-Ups:
- [leasbirds] Re: Melospiza Sparrows
  - From: Joseph Girgente

[leasbirds] Melospiza Sparrows

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